Portland, OR -- Oregon turns 154 years young this February 14. Celebrate Statehood Day with a slice of Oregon's birthday cake and free admission all day to our Oregon History Museum exhibits. At noon, join First Lady of Oregon Cylvia Hayes as she cuts Oregon's birthday cake, specially made and donated by one of Oregon's favorite bakeries, Baker and Spice. Baker and Spice is co-owned by Oregon author Julie Richardson, whose new book, Vintage Cakes, was hailed by the New York Times as "a love letter to all-American desserts." OHS is thrilled to feature an array of Baker and Spice's tasty creations at Oregon's birthday celebration. Plus, enjoy a special history lesson on the Oregon Sunstone, officially recognized as the state's official gemstone by the 1987 Oregon State Legislature. Throughout history the Sunstone has been known for its stunning beauty and protective metaphysical attributes. The Oregon Outback Mining Company LLCC will be sharing their beautiful collection of Oregon Sunstones, with examples of this all-natural stone in its raw and polished forms. John Price (CEO), Karen Huyck (VP of Operations) and local natural-stone specialist Melissa Meinz will be present to answer any questions you have about the Rarest Gem in the World(TM). Discover the incredible range of colors and unique warm glow of this beautiful gem that has truly earned its namesake, and makes this stone as breathtaking as the state in which it is found.

Take advantage of free admission to visit our newest exhibit, Tough by Nature: Portraits of Cowgirls and Ranch Women of the American West. The exhibit features over 65 works of art by Eugene artist Lynda Lanker, who spent 19 years interviewing western women and capturing their stories through her breathtaking artwork. Also on display is All Aboard! Railroading and Portland's Black Community, an original exhibit by the Oregon Black Pioneers. Visit WWW.OHS.ORG for a complete list of current exhibits. Our two permanent exhibits, Oregon My Oregon and Oregon Voices, are not to be missed. Oregon My Oregon tells our state's story from the region's earliest inhabitants, to the arrival of Europeans, through the Oregon Trail, and onward to early settlements and industries. In Oregon Voices, interactive touch screens give visitors a chance to explore the issues and events that shaped Oregon from 1950 forward.

The Oregon History Museum at the Oregon Historical Society is located at 1200 SW Park Avenue in downtown Portland. Museum hours on Thursday, February 14 are 10 AM - 5 PM.

About the Oregon Historical Society The Society has served since 1898 as Oregon's primary research collection and museum about Oregon history. OHS has an extensive collection of historical pieces, including over 85,000 artifacts and 3 million photographs and films. It safeguards and presents Oregon's history through a museum, research library, traveling exhibits, school programs and website content.